Photo Guide to Toronto Scenic Beaches Part One

On August 8, 2010, Canada's Sugar Beach, the newest beach in Toronto, was officially opened to the public. This event has renewed my interest in publishing a photo guide to the beautiful and scenic public beaches through Hubpages.

Along Lake Ontario, Toronto is surrounded by many beautiful beaches, some are natural wonders, such as Scarborough Bluffs, and some are man-made land from commercial waste such as Tommy Thompson Park. While they are there for the human enjoyment in all seasons, they also provide important habitats for the resident wildlife and migrating birds and butterflies.

All of beaches featured here are accessible by public buses, street cars and subway trains offered by Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

The photos are arranged according to the alphabetical order. This is an on-going project so please come back to check the updates.

I hope you will be amazed by the rich varieties of our natural or landscaped scenic waterfront.

Ashbridge Bay Park - To be added.

1. Balmy Beach - One of the best ways to spend the summer evening is perhaps to kayaking along the shore of Balmy Beach.

2. Bluffers Park - The impressive sandstone bluff has been artfully sculptured by mother nature through erosion since the glacial age. Many sailboats are anchored in the marinas and yacht clubs along the beach in the sailing season.

You will be in awe of its beauty no matter if you look at it at sunrise or sunset.

1. Canada's Sugar Beach - It was officially launches on August 8, 2010, and is the newest waterfront attraction in downtown Toronto. It was located just east of the refinery facilities of Redpath Sugar, hence the name "Sugar Beach". The white pristine sand was said to be imported from Ohio. The pink umbrellas, hmm, do they remind you of pink cotton candy?

2. Cherry Beach - Even in a cold December morning and the lake was about to freeze, people and swans were still enjoying the water at sunrise.

3. Cathedral Bluffs Park - Standing on the eroded edge in Cathedral Bluffs Park, Lake Ontario looked like an infinite sea.

4. Col. Samuel Smith Park - Personally I feel it is one of the best birding sites in Toronto. I have seen many resident and migrating birds there. In the spring time, killdeer can be found performing "broken wing dance" to lure potential predators from its eggs or chicks on the man-made beach. In some years, you may even see the nesting swans and their babies.

5. Coronation Park - The bronze sculpture by John McEwen of two pairs of war ship prows implies Canadian soliders departure and return as the 50th WWII memorial.

East Point Park - From the beach, if you look at the east, the industrial skylines of Pickering and Oshawa are visible on the horizon.

However, if you are brave enough and not afraid of the cold in the winter, you may be rewarded with the fabulous sunset clouds over the Scarborough Bluffs.

 Guildwood Park - To be added.

1. HtO Park - Brilliant yellow umbrellas provide attractive shades for bay watchers.

2. Humber Bay - It is a great place to look at Toronto downtown skyline.

Kew Beach - It is also known as the Beach or Beaches to Toronto residents. The most famous feature is its long boardwalk. But sometimes you may find some late bird diving to catch its supper.